Cassowary Coast Community Connect #44 26 May 2023

Positive news for Kurrimine Beach boat ramp

THE Kurrimine Beach community, together with Member for Hill Mr Shane Knuth and Cassowary Coast Regional Council has been advocating for several years for a much-needed upgrade of the Kurrimine Beach Boat Ramp.

On 11 May 2023 during the regional sitting of Queensland Parliament in Cairns, Mr Knuth put a question without notice about the Kurrimine Beach Boat Ramp to the Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Mr Knuth’s question was - There has been four years of extensive consultation for a new modern boat ramp at Kurrimine Beach to reduce safety concerns and meet increased demand. With the design completed and council agreeing to fund the foreshore development, will the Premier commit funds in the upcoming budget to finally construct the Kurrimine Beach boat ramp?

The Premier provided the following response - I am absolutely delighted to get this question from the member for Hill, a very strong advocate for his local community. What he is stating sounds very plausible and very reasonable. I am quite

sure that in our upcoming state budget we will see a contribution towards that boat ramp (www. parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/hansard).

Mayor Nolan acknowledged the efforts of community and elected representatives, “Hearing the Premier’s response to Mr Knuth’s question was great news after years of concerted efforts by Council, Mr Knuth and the community to address the issues of the existing Kurrimine Beach boating facilities.

“Council looks forward to understanding the details of the State’s commitment with the Queensland Government’s budget scheduled for release on 13 June 2023.”

Division 3 Councillor Trudy Tschui said, “We are hoping that this announcement will enable us to move forward in partnership with the State Government for the provision of modern boating facilities which will address a range of issues including congestion during busy periods, safety, structural and environmental.”

Mr Knuth said, “I am very pleased by the Premier’s response to my question in Parliament it

has been a long drawn-out process.

“I thank the Premier and Minister Bailey for this commitment to our community. I also acknowledge the work of Council and the Kurrimine Beach community,” said Mr Knuth.

The Kurrimine Beach Boat Ramp is identified as a priority project in the Cassowary Coast Regional Council 2023 Advocacy Plan and is also identified in the Cassowary Coast Draft Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy.

The Draft Strategy identifies vulnerabilities and risks associated with the Kurrimine Beachfront area including the boat ramp location. Proposed Adaptation Actions include community infrastructure planning and management of park, road and utility assets. Other actions include ongoing environment management which a well-designed boat ramp can support.

“Council seeks to listen to and advocate for our community, leveraging partnerships with all levels of government and community to deliver resilient infrastructure and support sustainable growth with the Kurrimine Beach Boat Ramp being one such example”, said Mayor Nolan.

Mr Knuth, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Tschui and community members celebrate the good news.

Works refresh scenic coastal track at Mission Beach

WHEN walking the Cutten Brothers coastal walking track, you may notice some recent improvements.

The Cutten Brothers Walking Track has recently undergone renewal work to replace a 90m section of failing timber decking. To ensure the safety of walkers, this section has been replaced with a slipresistant, recycled plastic decking by Council’s in-house building services team.

The Track commemorates intrepid settlers who made their living from timber in the early 1900s and weaves through coastal rainforest and offers spectacular glimpses of Boat Bay.

Maintenance

opportunities identified in footpath audit

OVER the next month, community members may notice a mobility scooter making its way through the region for the audit of the region’s footpath network.

As part of Council’s ongoing commitment to prioritise road and path maintenance, outlined in the Community Voice Action Plan, the audit obtains detailed imaging and Officers record condition assessment of the path network. The data will be used to identify immediate maintenance needs to reduce network risk, plan and budget for future footpath replacement and help Council identify priorities that improve connectivity, quality, and accessibility.

The use of the mobility scooter allows a more effective and efficient process, with Council’s Technical Officers driving the vehicle at a brisk walking pace and capturing images and recording data as they move through the network. The use of a mobility scooter also assists in the assessment

of path access compliance for disability requirements and considers the quality of the network for community members who use a walker, scooter, push a pram or cycle.

Community members may see Officers in CBD areas including, Innisfail, Tully and Cardwell and would like to thank them for their patience during these assessments. All cameras will be focused on the road or footpath asset with some limited viewing of areas directly adjacent. No deliberate image recordings of residential or commercial premises or passing pedestrians will be undertaken.

Council understands every disability is different. If you experience accessibility issues with the footpath network in your area, drop a pin on the map and provide your feedback via www.yoursay.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au (full link below). Feedback from this mapping tool will help inform Council’s future renewal and maintenance priorities.

If you experience accessibility issues with the footpath network in your area, drop a pin on the map and provide your feedback here: www.yoursay.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/innisfail/accessibility.

Seat with a viewCouncil thanks community for input

COUNCIL recently asked the community where they would like to see benches and picnic tables installed across our region. Interested residents and visitors used the Your Say site and placed a pin where they would like to see these facilities installed.

Cassowary Coast Mayor Mark Nolan said that 48 contributions were made for locations across our region.

“I would like to acknowledge and thank

all contributors for the time taken to provide feedback on this matter. The feedback highlighted the locations that matter to our residents and visitors, and will ensure future facilities are in or near these key locations. Council is currently developing its Open Space Strategy and suggestions for additional furniture in Council managed Parks and Open Space will be assessed in conjunction with that process.”

The Public Consultation report can be found by visiting yoursay.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/beach-foreshore-furniture.

These works ensure a safe and scenic route for the community and visitors who use this connection of Clump Point Road Ramp Road to meet the Ulysess Link Walking Track.

These works were funded under Council’s Capital Budget.

Innisfail CBD revitalisation draft master plan

CASSOWARY Coast Regional Council is excited to announce the release of the Draft Master Plan for the Innisfail CBD.

Over the course of 2023, engagement has been undertaken with the Innisfail community gathering insights and ideas that have directly informed the design of the draft master plan for

the Innisfail CBD.

The opportunities outlined within the draft master plan include physical place improvements as well as ideas for small-scale projects and initiatives that the community can support the delivery of.

Council will also be holding a Community and Trader Workshop on Thursday 25

May 2023 from 7:30am –9:00am at Level Three of the Innisfail Library and an Accessibility Discussion from 9:15am to 10:00am at Life Ur Way Office (located within the Innisfail arcade). We are asking community members to be involved in the final stages of the draft master plan and share your feedback with Council.

For more information on the draft master plan or events please visit www.yoursay.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/innisfail.

Cutten Brothers walking track.

One Coast - Cassowary Coast

Ministerial meetings during the sitting of Regional Parliament in FNQ

DURING the week of 9-11 May 2023, the Queensland Legislative Assembly met in Cairns for the regional sitting of the Queensland Parliament. This provided Local Government, community and industry leaders and representatives a rare opportunity to meet with elected representatives and the leadership of Queensland Government departments and agencies within our region of Far North Queensland.

Ministerial deputations with Mayor Nolan and Councillors, Council Leadership, Mr. Nick Dametto MP and Mr Shane Knuth MP advocated for and discussed a range of projects and priority issues including matters outlined in the Cassowary Coast Regional

Council Advocacy Plan 2023.

Issues addressed during a meeting with the Hon Dr Steven Miles Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure included:

• Port Hinchinbrook Normalisation including the Sewerage Treatment Plant and One MileCreek dredging

• Innisfail CBD Masterplan

• 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games opportunities.

Council’s meeting with the Hon Meaghan Scanlon, Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs included:

• Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan

• National Feral Pig Action Plan 2021-2031

Port Hinchinbrook Normalisation including the Sewerage Treatment Plant and One Mile Creek dredging.

The 2022 Community Scorecard clearly articulated Health and Community Services as a priority area for our community.

Council has engaged with the North Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) to seek collaborative, place-based solutions for primary health care. Council representatives, together with the CEO of the NQPHN, met with the Hon Yvette D’Ath, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services

VIETNAM TWINNING PROGRAM

CASSOWARY Coast Regional Council’s Water Department has undertaken a twinning program with a Vietnamese water provider focused on the trial and development of new practices, procedures and tools, professional development and the exchange of new ideas and friendships.

The twinning program, which is undertaken in conjunction with the Australian Water Association, supported by the Australian Government (Australian Water Partnership), seeks to accelerate climate smart and resilient water sectors through partnerships and capability building in Southeast Asia.

Planning and Regional Development portfolio holder, Mayor Mark Nolan said this program has provided a unique opportunity for Council Team Members to work with the Hoa Binh Clean Water Company members both online and in-person and take part in

the exchange of water knowledge, skills and expertise related to their field.

“The international water twinning program offers several staff the opportunity to increase their professional development not only in the water sector, but also within international relationships, industry collaboration and technical competency.

“The program has enabled two-way knowledge sharing and skills transfer.

“This week the region hosted Hoa Binh Clean Water delegates, showcasing and discussing the Cassowary Coast’s water infrastructure and initiatives that could be transferred to Vietnam.

“The Program, which is funded through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, enables the application and evaluation of new practices, procedures and utilities which lead to improved climate resilient water management,” said Mayor Nolan.

and put forward a proposal for a localised and collaborative, multidisciplinary primary healthcare service model that responds to our community’s needs.

Mr Shane Knuth MP and Council representatives met with the Hon Dr Steven Miles to discuss matters associated with marine access for the Johnstone River.

Mayor Nolan said that “the Ministerial meetings are part of Council’s ongoing advocacy and delivery of our corporate and strategic objectives.

“We have listened to our community through the 2022 Community Scorecard and are taking these priorities forward through strategic opportunities as presented through the sitting of Parlia-

ment in Cairns.

“Council thanks the Ministers and their teams and the Departmental Executives for providing us with this opportunity which we highly value.

“We also thank our local Queensland Legislative Assembly Members, Mr Nick Dametto and Mr Shane Knuth, for proactively supporting and advocating for our priorities during our meetings with the Hon Dr Miles Deputy Premier and the Hon Minister Scanlon.

“Our Cassowary Coast Regional Council Team looks forward to continuing to work with all levels of government and community to deliver sustainable outcomes that contribute to making our region a great place to live, work and play.”

Innisfail swimming pool seeking new management

CASSOWARY Coast Regional Council is currently seeking interested tenders for the management of the Innisfail Swimming Pool.

The Innisfail Pool Facility comprises of a 50m lap pool, hydro pool, toddler pool area with water slide and playground, BBQ area as well as a kiosk.

Council is seeking a manager who will partner with Council to ensure this

vital asset is available for use by the community and visitors, with the initial period of three years plus one year extension optional.

The Innisfail Swimming Pool will close for its annual winter shutdown from 1 June and is expected to reopen under new management from 31 July 2023.

Council would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank the current manage-

ment of the Innisfail Swimming Pool, Ian and Julie Arthur. Their dedication to the operation of this facility over the last 20 years has created a safe community space for all and has provided great benefit to the social and recreational wellbeing of our residents. Council expects there to be minimal disruption to users during this transition period. Tenders

Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor Mark Nolan, Councillor Renee McLeod and Councillor Officers with Hoa Binh Clean Water Company.

Notice of water works

COUNCIL wishes to advise water main replacement works will occur along Ibis, Emu and Tramway Streets in Innisfail on 29 May 2023. The works are anticipated to take four to six weeks, weather and resources permitting.

Council will endeavour to minimise impacts and will notify residents of any water main isolations closer to the commencement.

Council thanks the residents for your patience and cooperation during these important works.

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